In the procedure for obtaining a new type of fighter, today, March 13, 2017, at the Ministry of Defence, the proposals received from participants were opened from: Portugal, with a logistics package from the United States; Sweden and Italy.

The interdepartmental working group appointed by order of the Prime Minister opened the submitted proposals in the presence of representatives of Italy, Portugal, the USA and Sweden. The working group, chaired by the commander of the Air Force Major-General Tcanko Stoykov, will begin analyzing, evaluating and summarizing the responses on March 14, 2017.

In accordance with the text adopted on June 2, 2016 by the National Assembly resolution on "Project for Acquiring New Type of Fighter," the Ministry of Defense on December 9, 2016 sent a "Request for proposal (RFP)" to the governments of Italy, Portugal and the USA, and Sweden. This document specified a deadline for receipt of proposals at 12.00 on March 13th, 2017. All invited countries met the prescribed deadline.

The investment project to acquire a new type of combat aircraft was approved by decision of the Council of Ministers on April 1, 2016, and provides for the first stage of its implementation to be concluded by an intergovernmental agreement to acquire 8 aircrafts in the period 2018-2020.

(ends)

Bulgaria Gets Three Bids to Supply Eight Fighter Jets (excerpt)

(Source: Reuters; published March 13, 2017)

A special working group will choose between new Gripen jets from Sweden's SAAB and secondhand U. S. F-16 from Portugal, equipped with U. S. weaponry.

Bulgaria has received offers from Italy, Sweden and Portugal to supply eight new or secondhand fighter jets as the Balkan country seeks to replace its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighters, the Defence Ministry said on Monday.

Bulgaria plans to spend about 1.5 billion levs ($820 million) to buy new aircraft to improve compliance with NATO standards while reducing reliance on Russian-made aircraft.

A special working group will choose between new Gripen jets from Sweden's SAAB and secondhand U.S. F-16 from Portugal, equipped with U.S. weaponry. Another option is to buy secondhand Eurofighter Typhoon fighters from Italy.

"Offers from Portugal with a logistical package from the United States, Sweden and Italy have been opened at the Defence Ministry," the ministry said in a statement. (end of excerpt)